EHS Back to School Letter

Dear EHS Students and Families: 

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year at Eastchester High School! I hope your summer has provided opportunities to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. As we prepare to welcome students back into our classrooms, there is a familiar sense of excitement that accompanies the beginning of a new school year. Regardless of what the previous year brought, the opening of school reminds us that we are all afforded the opportunity for a fresh start, a chance to set new goals, embrace new opportunities, and become an even better version of ourselves.

The beginning of a school year also reminds us that growth is a continual process. While fresh starts inspire us to dream about what is possible, meaningful progress is built through small, intentional steps taken day after day. Every lesson learned, every challenge overcome, and every relationship strengthened becomes part of the foundation for what comes next. As individuals and as a school community, our greatest accomplishments are rarely the result of one defining moment. They are the product of a shared commitment to learning, improving, and supporting one another along the way.

As we begin another school year together, I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as a school community over the past two years. Together, we have introduced meaningful changes designed to better support our students academically, socially, and emotionally. From our schedule and Advisory program to expanded academic opportunities, a renewed focus on student engagement, and stronger systems of support, we have established a framework that reflects our shared commitment to continuous improvement.

This year, our focus shifts from building that framework to strengthening it. Rather than introducing additional sweeping changes, we will continue refining the systems and practices we have put in place, listening carefully to feedback from students, families, and staff, and making thoughtful enhancements that improve the experience for everyone. One example is the continued evolution of our Advisory program. This year, each grade level will engage in a themed Advisory curriculum designed to address the unique developmental needs of students at different stages of high school. We are also excited to introduce our new Peer Mentor Program, which will pair incoming ninth graders with trained upperclassmen who will help them navigate the transition to high school while fostering meaningful connections from the very beginning of the year. Together, these refinements reflect our commitment to creating an environment where every student feels connected, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.

To our incoming ninth graders, welcome to the EHS family! You are joining a community that is deeply committed to helping you grow not only as students, but as individuals. High school will challenge you, inspire you, and introduce you to opportunities you may not yet imagine. Get involved, ask questions, try something new, and remember that every student, teacher, counselor, coach, and staff member is here to help you succeed.

To our returning students, I encourage you to approach this year with both confidence and purpose. Each school year builds upon the last, and every experience, whether it brought success, disappointment, or somewhere in between, has prepared you for what comes next. Continue to challenge yourself academically, invest in your relationships, and seek opportunities to make a positive impact on those around you. Your individual growth strengthens our entire school community.

Finally, I want to thank our families for the partnership you provide throughout the year. The most successful educational experiences are built upon strong relationships between home and school, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us each day. By working together, communicating openly, and keeping students at the center of every decision, we can continue creating a school culture where every student feels supported, challenged, and valued.

We are excited to welcome everyone back and look forward to another outstanding year together. Please review the important logistical information below (especially about our new morning arrival procedures) which should help for a seamless start to the school year. 

Go Eagles!

Chris Welsh

Principal, Eastchester High School

 

Student Drop-Off

 

One area that will see a major adjustment at EHS this year is our student drop-off procedures. At their July meeting, the Board of Education approved a new Traffic Pattern which will be utilized during student drop-off. 

• Cars arriving from the South will enter right into campus off White Plains Road and proceed to designated drop off zones on the upper side of the bus circle closest to school. After students exit the vehicle, drivers will exit through the gate onto Stewart Place. 
• Cars arriving from the North will enter from Stewart Place and proceed to designated drop off zones on the lower side of the bus circle closest to the parking lot. After students exit the vehicle, drivers will exit through the main entrance onto White Plains Road. 
• Please be sure to adhere to posted signage and pull forward as far as possible before having students exit the vehicle.
• Drop off in the back of the school is still available, however, we encourage you to use the main entrance on White Plains Road if possible. 

 

Morning Arrival

• Student IDs will be handed out on the first day of school and must be visibly worn as students enter the building each morning as well as throughout the day. IDs must be worn at all times, and we appreciate your partnership in emphasizing the importance of complying with this requirement. 
• Students should arrive no earlier than 7:15 a.m. and will enter through either the front circle or the “Shared Wing” (back).  Please enter via the front circle, if at all possible, as the back cannot support a large volume of traffic.
• Juniors and Seniors are not required to report to school until their first class of the day.
• BOCES will begin on Tuesday, September 8^th.  Students attending BOCES should eat lunch immediately following period 4 and board the bus at 11:35. Until their programs begin, students should attend only their scheduled EHS classes.

 

Daily Bell Schedule

• School opens on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
• First period begins at 7:40 a.m.
  • Please note: The school day will begin 5 MINUTES EARLIER THAN LAST YEAR.
• On Wednesdays, we will alternate between an Advisory period and Office Hours. 
  • The first day of school is a Wednesday 2 (Office Hours).
• Extra help will be held after the conclusion of Period 7 at 2:31 p.m. and will run until 2:50 p.m.
• Lunch periods will be held during Period 5.
• Incoming 9th graders will have an opportunity to tour the building and follow their schedule during our welcome event on Tuesday, September 1st at 1:00 p.m. Reminders for this event will be sent via ParentSquare. 

 

Student Schedules

Tentative student schedules will be available via Infinite Campus on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 2:00 pm.  Please check Infinite Campus at that time.  Please know that periods, not courses, may change during the last week of summer vacation as we seek to keep class sizes as low as possible.

In an effort to ensure all schedules are accurate prior to the opening day of school, we will provide opportunities for your child to meet virtually with his or her counselor.  Please note that schedule changes will only be approved if a graduation requirement has been omitted.  Counselors will be available for discussion via Google Meet and links will be provided at a later date. The schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, August 26th (12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)   
• Thursday, August 27th (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)   
• Thursday, August 27th  (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)   

****Counselors will be available at EHS for new registrants and any overflow at the following times: Thursday, August 27 (1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.) and Monday, August 31 (2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.)****

 

Infinite Campus

EUFSD is transitioning to a new student information system called Infinite Campus. It will replace eSchoolPlus and serve as the “portal” for parents and students to view important information, including students schedules and grades throughout the school year. 

Earlier this month, the technology department sent a message with instructions for registration which included a personalized access code. Please refer to that message to get started with Infinite Campus. For your reference, here is the login page once you are set up with an account. 

 

Students and Personal Electronic Devices

As we begin the new school year, I want to remind families that Eastchester High School will continue to implement the Board of Education's  Students and Personal Electronic Devices Policy, adopted in accordance with Governor Hochul's Distraction-Free Schools law. The policy remains an important part of our commitment to creating learning environments where students can focus academically, engage fully in classroom activities, and build meaningful connections with one another.

Students are expected to comply with all aspects of the policy throughout the school day. Cell phones must be stored in classroom device caddies during instructional periods, while other internet-enabled personal devices, including smart watches and earbuds, must remain silenced and stored away unless
specifically authorized by a staff member. We appreciate the continued partnership of our families in reinforcing these expectations and helping students arrive at school each day ready to learn.

Families who need to communicate with their child during the school day should contact the EHS Main Office at (914) 793-6130 x4224.

Laptops

This year marks the second year of our transition to a 1:1 student device program. As part of our phased implementation, all students in Grades 9 and 10 will be issued a school-owned MacBook for use both at school and at home. These school-issued devices will be the only computers permitted for academic use by students in those grade levels. Over the next two years, we will continue expanding the program until all Eastchester High School students are learning on district-issued devices.

Students in Grades 11 and 12 may continue using their own laptop or may request a district-issued Chromebook for use throughout the school year. Additional information regarding device distribution and Chromebook requests will be shared by the District Technology Department prior to the start of school.

9th grade devices will be given out on Tuesday, September 1st, 1:00-5:30pm. More details will be sent out via ParentSquare for picking up the computers.

 

Lockers

• Since many students opt not to use lockers, we will assign lockers only to those students who request lockers.  Students who would like to be assigned a locker should visit the Main Office during the first full week of school.  Please remember that only school-issued locks may be used on school lockers. 

High School Supply List

• For your reference, here is the high school supply list. Please note some items are teacher specific, so you might want to wait until after schedules are released to utilize the list in your purchasing. Students are not expected to arrive on the first day of school with required materials. 

 

Food Service/Cafeteria

• The school district has contracted once again with Aramark as our food service company.  They have been asked to provide a full assortment of breakfast, snack, and lunch options throughout the year.
• We will continue our Universal Breakfast and Lunch program, and ask that you review this Meal Plan letter from the District.
• You can access information on MyPaymentsPlus on the Food Services website.
• Due to both security and management concerns, local vendors and delivery services like Uber Eats and Doordash will not be allowed to make deliveries to the security desk. 
• All food must be consumed in the cafeteria.

 

Free Periods:  Upperclassmen

• Both Seniors and Juniors will have opportunities to leave campus whenever they have a free period.  If students leave campus, they are asked to remain off campus for the entirety of the period.
• Students will be required to produce their student ID as they leave and as they return to campus.  If students do not show their ID, they will not be able to leave or return to campus.
• If upperclassmen do not leave campus during a free period, they will be asked to report to the cafeteria or library for that period.
• Underclassmen do not have free periods and are not allowed to leave campus.

A Message from the NYS Department of Health

Click this link if you'd like to learn more about NYState's Safe Swimming Tips for Everyone. It has helpful tips and strategies for water safety as we finish up these last few weeks of Summer break.

Important Links and Documents

• Student-Parent Handbook - During homeroom early in the year, students will be asked to sign off and acknowledge that they have read and understand the student handbook. 
• PTA Membership - Please support the EHS PTA this year and throughout your years at EHS!
• SEPTA Membership - Join SEPTA by accessing this link. This organization does incredible work on behalf of our students!
• Sports Club Membership - For over fifty years, our Eastchester Eagles Sports Club has enthusiastically promoted and enhanced the athletic programs of the Eastchester school district.
• Media Opt Out Form - Please complete and submit this form to the EHS Main Office if you DO NOT want your child to be included in media communications from the school.
• Military Recruiter Opt Out Form - If interested, please return to the EHS Main Office by September 25, 2026.